Fresh from showcasing their latest films at international festivals, Diprente Films are giving South Africans the chance to watch their brand new movies, Catching Feelings and Matwetwe at the Cape Town International Film Festival in October at the V & A Waterfront from 12 – 21 October.
Tuesday, 17 October marks the South African Premiere of Catching Feelings, Lediga’s directorial debut. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF) in June and recently had its East Coast premiere in New York at Urbanworld Film Festival. Catching Feelings was also written by, and stars Lediga. Set in a chic and middle class Johannesburg, it is a tale of how life, love and art intersect in uncontrollable ways. Catching Feelings follows a jaded academic (Lediga) and his journalist wife (Pearl Thusi), who have their lives turned upside down when a celebrated and hedonistic older writer (Andrew Buckland) unexpectedly moves into their urban Johannesburg home with them. Despite their love for each other, their relationship has hit a rut. Lacking excitement, the couple have settled into a routine that neither agrees with. Max now spends his time at dinners and events, musing over his frustrations with his key conspirator and sounding board, Joel (Akin Omotoso), who himself has his hands full with an illicit affair. The film also features Zandi Tisani, Precious Makgaretsa and Kate Liquorish.
Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPVEHBjTxnY
Lediga says of Catching Feelings: “I wanted to make a fun film about Johannesburg. It is a place full of contradictions. It is Africa’s business capital and culturally diverse with a very messy recent history. I find it fascinating that the 30-something, black, middle class characters portrayed in this film never existed 20 years ago because it was essentially illegal to be black and middle class and I guess it would also be impossible to engage in angst ridden, existential navel gazing when you’re fleeing tear gas and rubber bullets from the Apartheid cops. Although it is rumored that the 30-something year olds of Apartheid times had a greater sense of purpose.
Lediga’s second film Matwetwe (Wizard) screens on Wednesday, 18 October after recently returning from Fantastic Fest, the biggest genre festival in America. Matwetwe (Wizard) is a coming-of-age adventure following Lefa and Papi, best friends and recent high school graduates, on the hustle of their young lives. Over the course of an action packed New Year’s Eve in the iconic township of Atteridgeville, the boys try to score a huge deal, dodge a kingpin gangster and his violent minions, get the girl and ultimately save their lives in this hilarious escapade. “The process of developing this story located in my childhood neighbourhood and working with young actors from around Atteridgeville and Pretoria was very exciting,” says Lediga.
Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Dy5pRwHxfGw
Catching Feelings: 17 October; 7.45pm; The Waterfront Nu Metro 7 and on 20 October at 2:45pm; The Waterfront Nu Metro 6
Matwetwe (Wizard): 18 October; 8pm; The Waterfront Ster Kinekor Nouveau, and on 21 October at 12h30pm; The Waterfront Nu Metro 6
Both films are produced by Tamsin Andersson and Kagiso Lediga with Diprente Films and shot by Cinematographer Motheo Moeng. The creative team are excited to showcase the films to South African audiences, leading up to their local release in 2018.
